It is four years this week since Dubai Metro opened. Since the first train moved on the rails on 09/09/09, more than 300 million trips have been taken on the Metro and it has become the longest driverless public transport system in the world, with the Red and Green lines servicing tens of thousands of passengers daily.

And this good news story is getting even better. Officials at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have confirmed the Metro system will be expanded, with the Red and Green lines being pushed south from their current terminals to service growing communities in Mirdif, International City and Academic city.

For anyone who lives in these areas, the advent of the Metro will be a boon. Granted, the expansion projects will not get underway right now and will take five years or so to complete, but the prospect of easy access and a fast and convenient transport system is welcome news.

Expansion of the Red and Green lines will be completed by 2020. If the RTA can now confirm the go-ahead for the proposed lines, linking both the airports — Dubai International and Dubai World Central — it will be great indeed.